Expand Your Understanding of the World Today by Studying the Past with a Bachelor of Arts in History
George Santayana once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” By studying how and why events in the past occurred and how they influence the present and future, you can be a part of shaping the next generation of leaders with lessons from history.
If you are interested in a career in politics, education, or communications, then a Bachelor of Arts in History can help equip you for success! Besides the knowledge you can gain in U.S. and world history, you can also acquire the research, data analysis, and archival skills that can be of use in many different fields.
The professors in our history department share your passion for studying history and finding new ways to motivate others to learn about the past. What makes Liberty stand out among other universities is that you will have the opportunity to study history from a Christian perspective and see how faith plays a role in our country’s development. We aim to produce men and women who are firm in their faith and ready to go out into the workforce as leaders in their field.
Award-Winning Campus
At Liberty, you’ll find an affordable, high-quality education that equips students like you for the real world. Our commitment to excellence helped us rank among Niche.com’s Top 3 college campuses in America. Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with state-of-the-art resources like ours can help set you apart from your peers.
Why Choose Liberty’s Bachelor of Arts in History Program?
Our B.A. in History degree emphasizes critical thinking, written analysis, research, and interpretation studies of the past and how it affects the present and future. Throughout this degree program, you will have the opportunity to experience a close community with professors and classmates who know you by name.
In addition to the informative and challenging courses you will take, there are many internships and externships available throughout the country. Many of our students have interned in history-related positions locally as well as in government or lobbying groups in Washington, D.C.
Lynchburg is perfectly situated in the heart of Virginia with hundreds of historical sites within a 4-hour radius. As you study American history, you can also visit places like Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. Check out Appomattox, Gettysburg, Winchester, and Richmond as you learn about the Civil War. If you are interested in a hands-on learning experience, drive 15 minutes from campus to Mead’s Tavern, built in 1763 and now owned by Liberty, where you can study archeology, architecture, and the history of the era in which the house was built.
Additionally, you can be sharpened and challenged by experienced professors who show you how to integrate your Christian faith with vocational skills and help prepare you for life and a career. Our goal at Liberty University is not just to provide you with a degree but to help you prepare for your career.
The senior capstone seminar course in our history degree is career oriented. We make a special effort to connect you with Career Services for job searches, mock interviews, and much more so that you are confident when you leave Liberty and enter the field.
What Will You Learn in Our B.A. in History Degree?
Throughout our B.A. in History degree, you will study the foundations of Western civilization and how the modern world was shaped by events of the past. As a historian, you need to gather evidence and formulate ideas about the past so that you can create a framework through which the past can be taught. You will receive training in U.S. and world history so that you can feel confident teaching history as well as providing your expertise in research.
Our Bachelor of Arts in History will also give you the opportunity to study an ancient language like Hebrew or Greek or a modern language like Spanish or French. This language requirement is what sets the Bachelor of Arts apart from the Bachelor of Science in History. Many advanced degrees require reading proficiency in foreign languages, so this degree can help equip you to be prepared for future graduate study.
Featured Courses
HIEU 201 – History of Western Civilization I
HIEU 202 – History of Western Civilization II
HIST 300 – Historical Methodology
You will study the meaning and interpretation of history, methodology, research techniques, and career opportunities.
HIUS 221 – Survey of American History I
A survey of the political, social, and economic developments of America from the colonizing experience through the Civil War with emphasis on the development of the American democratic tradition.
Highlights of Our B.A. in History Degree Program
- Mead’s Tavern, built in 1763 and now owned by Liberty, serves as an onsite laboratory for hands-on training in history, archeology, and more!
- A key focus in the senior capstone seminar is connecting you to Career Services for job searches, mock interviews, and other useful resources.
- We have been the winner of the Phi Alpha Theta chapter of the year twice in the past 8 years.
- Three history majors won the Provost Award for Excellence in Research in 2018.
Bachelor of Arts in History Degree Information
- Residential
- 120 total credit hours
- Transfer in up to 75% of your total degree
- This program falls under the College of Arts and Sciences
- Download and review the Degree Completion Plan
- Check out our course catalog
Career Opportunities for Bachelor of Arts in History Graduates
History jobs are rewarding and exciting. With an occupational growth rate that is as fast as most other fields and a median salary that is over $20,000 higher than the median middle wage for 2020,* history jobs can be lucrative. Some career opportunities may include:
- Archivist
- Bibliographer
- Data processor for investment firms
- Diplomat
- Historian
- Research assistant
- Writer
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, at Historians (viewed online January 21, 22). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
Admission Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees
Every application is reviewed by the admission committee on a case-by-case basis, meaning there are no set minimums for acceptance. However, all applicants must submit the following documents* for admission:
- Admission application
- Official high school transcripts
- Official college transcripts (if applicable)
- Results from the CLT, SAT, or ACT are not required for admission, but may be used in consideration for merit-based aid.
- Admission essay
*Note that additional documentation may be requested by the admission committee after your application has been received.
